Latest news and updates on Australian numismatic - Coins, banknotes, tokens
September 25, 2023
5 pound 1913 to 1939 banknotes - Prices guide and values
This first Commonwealth of Australia five pound note featured the Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn, New South Wales on the back and a band of red across the top and bottom of the note. Approximately 11,290,400 five pound notes were printed between 1924 and 1927 with James Kell's signature, firstly as Chairman, Note Issue Department, and changing to Governor of the Commonwealth Bank in 1927. Approximately 20,338,000 five pound notes were printed between 1933 and 1939 featuring the Riddle/Sheehan signature combination.
September 21, 2023
2 dollars 1988 to 2023 - Price Guide and values
Two dollar Australian coins showing an archetype of an Aboriginal tribal elder on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on June 20, 1988 to replace the two dollar note which had a short service life through high use. Numerous designers were invited to contribute designs for the two dollar coin based on a brief to include a representation of the head and shoulders of an Aboriginal Australian, the Southern Cross and Australian flora.
September 18, 2023
Plate Identification Letter Locations on Australian Banknotes
A Plate Identification Letter (PIL) is a very small letter found on each note of nearly all Paper Decimal notes issued. Although initially thought to be a security device, it seems tenable now that they were included to assist with quality control.
September 16, 2023
1 dollar 1984 to 2023 - Price Guide and values
One dollar Australian coins showing five kangaroos on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on May 14, 1984 to replace the one dollar note which had a short service life through high use. In 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991, no 1-dollar coin were produced for circulation.
September 14, 2023
1 pound 1938 to 1966 banknotes - Prices guide and values
The first signature combination - Sheehan/McFarlane - was printed in green, while the remaining combinations until 1953 were printed in black. Approximately 1,066,000,000 one pound notes were produced between 1953 and 1966 with the only changes being in signatory H. C. Coombs' title when responsibility for issuing notes was transferred from the Commonwealth Bank to the Reserve Bank of Australia and in the shade of green used on the reverse of the note.
September 12, 2023
50 cents 1966 to 2023 - Price Guide and values
Fifty cent Australian coins showing the Commonwealth Coat of Arms on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on February 14, 1966. First ones made in silver, a new shape and alloy was reintroduced into circulation in September, 1969 because silver price rose above the face value and to help solve the confusion with the twenty cents.
September 12, 2023
1 pound 1913 to 1938 banknotes - Prices guide and values
In 1914-15, a note was made as an interim emergency issue, printed at the Government Printing Office by the Government Stamp Printer, to meet the large demand for banknotes generated during the early years of World War I. Later, a smaller note, designed and printed by Thomas S. Harrison, was introduced to improve production efficiency. Six notes could be printed per sheet instead of the previous four.
September 7, 2023
Circulating Australian coins mintages cheatsheet
Mintage of Australian circulating coins by denomination. Mintage is the number of coins of a particular date struck at a given mint during a particular year.
September 6, 2023
20 cents 1966 to 2023 - Price Guide and values
Twenty cent Australian coins showing an Platypus on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on February 14, 1966. Like the four species of echidna, the platypus is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. The platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales. Until the early 20th century humans hunted the platypus for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range.
September 2, 2023
10 cents 1966 to 2023 - Price Guide and values
Ten cent Australian coins showing an Lyrebird on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on February 14, 1966. Lyrebirds are most notable for their superb ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds from their environment, and the striking beauty of the male bird's huge tail when it is fanned out in courtship display. Lyrebirds have unique plumes of neutral-coloured tailfeathers and are among Australia's best-known native birds.
August 31, 2023
Banknotes - 10 shillings 1939 to 1966 price guide and values
Introduced following the death of King George V, the design of the King George VI ten shilling note remained unchanged throughout his reign, with only the signatories being modified. The death of King George VI presented an opportunity to introduce new designs for the ten shillings note. Captain Matthew Flinders is featured on the front of the new note and the then Parliament House in Canberra appears on the back.
August 30, 2023
Banknotes - 10 shillings 1913 to 1938 price guide and values
Approximately 502,667 of the 1913-1914 ten shilling note were printed. Following the detection of forgeries of this note, the design was changed in 1915. This smaller note, designed and printed by Thomas S. Harrison, was introduced to improve production efficiency. Six notes could be printed per sheet instead of the previous four. Following complaints that the smaller 10 shilling note introduced in 1933 could be mistaken for a ten pound note, the words TEN SHILLINGS were added on three of the borders.
August 29, 2023
New Zealand Florin 1933 to 1965 - Price Guide
The design on reverse shows a foraging kiwi. The kiwi has long had a special significance for the indigenous Mãori people, who used its skin to make feather cloaks (kahu kiwi) for chiefs. Nationwide studies show that only around 5 to 10% of kiwi chicks survive to adulthood without management. Kiwi is also a common self-reference used by New Zealanders and even internationally.
August 28, 2023
5 cents 1966 to 2023 - Price Guide
Five cent Australian coins showing an Echidna on reverse were released for the first time in circulation on February 14, 1966. Also called spiny anteaters, echidnas are the only living mammals that lay eggs and live in Australia and New Guinea. The echidnas are named after Echidna, a creature from Greek mythology who was half-woman, half-snake, as the animal was perceived to have qualities of both mammals and reptiles.
August 23, 2023
2 cents 1966 to 1989 - Price Guide and values
Two cent Australian coins produced since 1964 by the Royal Australian Mint and it's branches, and by the Royal Mint were first released in circulation on February, 1966. The cessation of issue of two cent coins was announced on August 21, 1990. They still continue to be legal tender and can ben used to purchase goods or deposited at a financial institution even if they were withdrawn from circulation commencing in February 1992.
August 23, 2023
New Zealand Shilling 1933 to 1965 - Price Guide
The reverse design shows a crouching Mãori warrior, holding a taiaha. The Mãori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. They are a subgroup of Polynesians, who were the decedents of Austronesians (the majority of whom are Indonesians). The Taiaha is a traditional weapon of the Mãori of New Zealand, sharp on one end, with a slicing club on the other.
August 22, 2023
20 dollars ZXA* - Star notes registry updated
During the production process to make banknotes, several problems can occur like torn sheets and many other things. To replace these unusable notes, replacements were made and identified by a five-pointed star for pre-decimal and an six-spoked asterisk for decimal, instead of the last digit of the serial number.
August 19, 2023
New Zealand sixpence 1933 to 1965 - Price Guide
The reverse of these coins shows extinct huia bird perched on a branch. The last confirmed sighting of a huia was in 1907, although there was a credible sighting in 1924. Like the extinctions of other New Zealand birds such as the piopio in the 19th century, the decline of the huia was poorly studied.
August 18, 2023
Australia One cent - 1966 to 1990 - Price Guide
One cent Australian coins produced since 1964 by the Royal Australian Mint and it's branches, and by the Royal Mint were first released in circulation on February, 1966. The cessation of issue of one cent coins was announced on August 21, 1990. The decision was based on the loss of real purchasing power through inflation and the cost of minting these coins.
August 13, 2023
Two cent bronze - Not intended for circulation - 1966 to 2006 - Price Guide
Two cent Australian coins produced since 1964 by the Royal Australian Mint and it's branches, and by the Royal Mint were first released in circulation on February, 1966. The cessation of issue of two cent coins was announced on August 21, 1990. They still continue to be legal tender and can ben used to purchase goods or deposited at a financial institution even if they were withdrawn from circulation commencing in February 1992.
August 11, 2023
Australian coins grading - Shilling 1911 to 1936 - George V
The grade is used to determine the exact value of a coin. It represents the quality and wear of a coin. Using pictures, effigies and descriptions, this section helps you to determine the grade of a coin with the Sheldon scale, the universal gradation tool.
August 10, 2023
Die Chip - Errors, varieties and mis-strikes
Die chips are small pieces of metal in relief, and who are not part of the original drawing. Appearing most often in places where the pressure is stronger, for exemples the edge of letters, numbers and parts of the drawing where the space between the various elements of the design is fairly small.
August 7, 2023
New Zealand 3 pence 1933 to 1965 - Price Guide
The patu was chosen for the design on the reverse of the New Zealand 3 pence. It A patu is a club or pounder used by the M?ori. The word patu in the M?ori language means to strike, hit, beat, kill or subdue.
August 5, 2023
Penny 1911 to 1936 - Pictures and varieties updated
In 1910, the first distinctive Australian Commonwealth coins, struck at the Royal Mint in London, were introduced. It was a somewhat jinxed start for Australian currency. Only in 1911 was the introduction of halfpennies and pennies for the first time and a portrait of the new king - Edward's son, George V.
August 4, 2023
Adelaide One Pound 1852 - Price Guide and Values
Because of the tremendous shortage of coins at that time in Australia and while gold dust and nuggets were in ample supply, it was decided to create one pound coins as a way to convert that gold into circulating currency. After that, the amended 1852 Bullion Act was rejected.
